Agua Hedionda dredging scheduled to begin next year

The Pacific Ocean breakwaters at Agua Hedionda, with the Encina power plant in the background. Photo by Joe Wolf

CARLSBAD — Removal of tons of sand from Agua Hedionda Lagoon is set to begin in January despite environmental concerns from residents.

NRG Energy, which owns the Encina Power Plant, received a special use permit for periodic maintenance from the Carlsbad Planning Commission in September to remove up to 500,000 cubic yards of sand and sediment from the outer lagoon. The permit expires Oct. 1 8, 2021, and was approved 4-0. Two commissioners, Lisa Rodman and Kerry Siekmann recused themselves due to conflicts of interest, while Marty Montgomery was absent.

Rodman, who is the CEO of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, declined to comment when asked about the vote only saying it was a conflict of interest. Siekmann said she previously filed a complaint against NRG, therefore recused herself.

“There is a condition on the project that prior to any dredging cycle that they will do beach profile surveys to find out how much cubic yards is on the beach already, and how much will be placed on each segment of the beach,” Drew said. “That will be given to our Parks and Recreation Department and they are the ones who will approve the sand placement.”

Seawater from the outer lagoon is used to cool the power plant and the Carlsbad desalination plant. Dredging began in 1954 after the construction of the power plant, although the last time was in April 2015. The power plant is in the process of being decommissioned, however, a new, smaller peaker plant will take its place.

As for the dredging, the commission heard statements over the course of two meetings from power plant operators NRG, Cabrillo Power and residents.

NRG Senior Director of Environmental Compliance George Piantka said during the Sept. 6 Planning Commission meeting his company understands the concerns for the lagoon and beaches, but research has shown dredging would not harm the outer lagoon. He said numerous permits from the California Coastal Commission and Army Corps of Engineers are also required before dredging can begin.

“The dredging is certainly an important activity that we do,” Piantka said, “for the benefit for the north, middle and south (beaches), and for the general health of the outer lagoon.”

Resident Mary Anne Viney, a former research chemist and member of several local environmental nonprofit groups, said she has concerns with the sediments’ toxicity. She said the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board listed the entire lagoon for sediment toxicity, although the board doesn’t know what type of chemicals are causing the toxicity.

The commission asked about taxfolia, an invasive algae, but Sheila Henika of Cabrillo Power said it has never been found in the outer lagoon. Drew said taxfolia was eradicated years ago and subsequent testing has not revealed any positive results.

Viney, though, said there are risks to public health once the sand is dumped to the beaches near the power plant. She also noted there were two spills each in 2015 and 2016 at the desalination plant, which could impact fisheries, water quality and sediment.

“The lagoon and ocean are habitat, and people and fish swim in these bodies,” Viney said. “The regional board said the lagoon is still toxic. Why subject the public and environment to the possibility to being coalmine canaries? Please don’t dig up it up and dump it before you know what’s in it.”